The youngest member of the Phalen family, Ginny’s musical sensibilities were largely influenced by music of the 2000s and 2010s. With a preference for indie and alternative rock with folk and blues influences, some of Ginny’s favorite bands include The Black Keys, Lord Huron, Hozier, and The National.

Vide Noir, by Lord Huron (2018)

The third studio album by American rock band Lord Huron, Vide Noir is an epic odyssey through cities, across dimensions, and out into the cosmos. It explores the spectrum of the human experience and searches for meaning in a cold, indifferent universe. But mostly it just sounds really cool.

Favorite tracks include: “When the Night is Over,” “Ancient Names, Pt. 1,” “Ancient Names, Pt. 2,” and Secret of Life.”

Unreal Unearth, by Hozier (2023)

The third studio album by Irish singer-songwriter Hozier, Unreal Unearth is a loose concept album inspired by Dante’s Inferno. Featuring his trademark poetic lyrics combing themes of religion, mythology, literature, and folklore, Hozier described the album as “quite eclectic.” Hozier released several subsequent editions of the album, to include: Unreal Unearth: Unheard, Unreal Unearth: Unending, and Unreal Unearth: Unaired. Ginny’s selection is the original album, but she strongly encourages anybody who enjoyed it to listen to the other editions.

Favorite tracks include: “De Selby, Part 1,” “De Selby, Part 2,” “Eat Your Young,” “First Light,” “Abstract (Psychopomp,” “Unknown / Nth,” “I, Carrion (Icarian),” and “Who We Are.”

AM, by Arctic Monkeys (2013)

The fifth studio album by English rock band Arctic Monkeys, AM drew inspiration from a variety of genres, including psychedelic rock, blues, R&B, funk, and soul. It was the UK’s best selling album of the decade and is still the bands most successful album in the US. Ginny listened to it approximately 10,000 times while in college.

Favorite tracks include: “Do I Wanna Know?” “Arabella,” “Number One Party Anthem,” Snap Out of It,” and “Knee Socks.”

Pure Heroine, by Lorde (2013)

The debut album that launched New Zealand singer-songwriter Lorde to stardom. The album explores themes of youth, mainstream culture, materialism, fame, and social status. Utilizing primarily bass and preprogrammed beats, Pure Heroine has been noted for it’s minimalist production for the era.

Favorite tracks include: “Glory and Gore,” “Ribs,” “400 Lux,” “A World Alone,” and “Buzzcut Season.”

Pretty. Odd., by Panic at the Disco (2008)

Considered the black sheep of American pop-rock band Panic! at the Disco, their second studio album Pretty. Odd. is their only major album released without their trademark exclamation point. Noticeably inspired by The Beatles, this album combines baroque and psychedelic rock and differs greatly from their other albums.

Favorite tracks include: “We’re So Starving,” “I Have Friends in Holy Spaces,” “Northern Downpour,” “When the Day Met the Night,” “Behind the Sea,” and “Folkin’ Around.”